Accountant and Financial Consulting Services for the East Orange Water Commission

The City of East Orange Board of Water Commissioners (EOWC), located in Essex County, New Jersey, is actively soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP) for comprehensive Accountant and Financial Consulting Services. This crucial professional service contract aims to engage a qualified firm for a twelve (12) month period, specifically from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. The extensive scope of work includes providing operational and financial advisory services aligned with utility industry standards, covering metered revenue capture, customer service billing and collection systems, and the financial oversight of capital project execution. The selected consultant will also be instrumental in supporting capital financing and existing debt management, collaborating with bond counsel and the NJ Infrastructure Bank (NJIB), as well as the Commission's engineers and financial advisors. Core responsibilities extend to accounting, budgetary, financial, and long-term plan advisory services; producing monthly and year-end forecasts; and reviewing financial transactions for regulatory and accounting compliance. The role necessitates advising on legislative changes, providing dedicated part-time on-site and remote employee support to the Commission’s Finance Team, and attending key meetings with the EOBWC and City officials to ensure financial transparency and strategic alignment. Additional duties encompass processing expense invoices, generating financial reports, maintaining the General Ledger, reconciling accounts, preparing checks, assisting in annual budget development, supporting external audits, and meticulously maintaining financial records in accordance with state public agency requirements. The consultant will also review and process reports and financial statements related to tax abated/exempt projects. Prospective professional services entities must fulfill rigorous qualification and experience criteria to be considered for this significant engagement. A minimum of ten (10) years of utility sector experience is mandatory, with a strong preference for expertise in water and wastewater operations. Crucial qualifications include demonstrated experience in municipal financial utility operations, successful financial management of large capital projects, and effective coordination of capital project finance initiatives. While experience in private financial utility operations with robust cost controls is considered a plus, the primary emphasis is on deep public sector utility financial acumen. Respondents must possess substantial financial and audit experience, coupled with a proven track record of facilitating timely and professional interactions with external auditors. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation with Public Accounting and Auditing experience is highly desirable, as is a Registered Municipal Accountants (RMA) License from the appropriate New Jersey authority. Furthermore, candidates should exhibit proficiency in utility budgeting and forecasting, and possess knowledge of best practices in utility management, including CMMS systems for maintenance and budgeting, and integrated customer service work order and billing systems leveraging meter read technologies. The ability to offer strategic counsel to both management and the Board of Water Commissioners on utility operations, cost efficiencies, and capital planning is essential, alongside exceptional communication skills across all organizational levels. Detailed qualification proposals for the Accountant and Financial Consulting Services are strictly due by Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time. Submissions must be hand-delivered or mailed to the Purchasing Agent at the City of East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Each proposal must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, prominently bearing the consultant's name and the precise title: "ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE EAST ORANGE WATER COMMISSION." Respondents are mandated to submit one (1) unbound original, four (4) additional copies, and one (1) thumb drive containing the complete proposal package. The submission packet requires numerous standardized forms, including, but not limited to, the Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, a valid Business Registration Certificate, Qualification Affidavit, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification, all in strict compliance with New Jersey statutes such as N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. (Affirmative Action) and N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors). Proposers must also provide evidence of Professional Liability Insurance with minimum coverage limits of $1,000,000.00 per claim and a $1,000,000.00 aggregate per policy period. For any inquiries or clarification regarding the RFP and submission process, interested parties should contact Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, Purchasing Agent, directly at (973) 266-5162.